Shinde & Ajit sulk on the sidelines

Eknath Shinde Sena feels despite having done relatively well by winning seven seats, it has not been given proportionate representation in the Union government

- ROHIT CHANDAVARKAR

The decision of the BJP leadership to give cabinet berths to parties like the JDS, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) and Jitan Ram Manjhi's HAM has caused heartburn in its ally, the Shiv Sena in Maharashtra. The Eknath Shinde Sena feels that despite having done relatively well by winning seven seats in the state, it has not been given proportionate representation in the Union government.

A similar feeling exists within the other Mahayuti ally, Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party, which officially announced on Sunday that it refused to be part of the Union government as it was only being offered a junior position. For now, however, both these parties are likely to take the current situation in their stride and hold their peace.